Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

Which pain assessment scale should the nurse use for a 3-year-old toddler?

1. FACES.

2. Numeric.

3. CRIES.

4. Visual analog.

The correct answer is: FACES.

The FACES pain assessment scale is specifically designed to help gauge pain in young children, including toddlers around the age of three. This scale uses a series of face illustrations that depict different expressions ranging from happiness (indicating no pain) to sadness (indicating severe pain). This method is effective for young children because it allows them to communicate their feelings in a visual format that they can easily understand, rather than relying on complex verbal explanations. Using the FACES scale, a toddler can point to the face that most closely describes how they feel, making the assessment process more relatable and straightforward for them. Children at this developmental stage may have difficulty understanding numerical scales or other abstract pain scales, which require a level of cognitive processing they may not yet possess. Other scales like numeric or visual analog are more suitable for older children or adults who can comprehend numerical values and the concept of a continuum of pain. The CRIES scale, while useful in certain contexts, is specifically designed for infants and is not typically utilized for toddlers who can express themselves through more effective visual means. Thus, the FACES pain assessment scale is the most appropriate choice for a 3-year-old toddler.